News Release
October 3, 2006
Denver Schools Will Celebrate Fathers Walk To School Day On Wednesday October 4, 2006
Event promotes fatherhood initiatives, health and concern for the environment.
Schools in Denver will celebrate Denver's inaugural Fathers Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 4, to encourage the involvement of fathers and male caregivers in their students' lives. The occasion coincides with International Walk to School Day, which promotes safe routes to school, plus the mental, physical and environmental health benefits of walking or biking. The focus on fatherhood embraces all male caregivers, including fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, brothers, mentors, neighbors and others. However, all caregivers are encouraged to participate in Walk to School Day, including mothers.
Special activities and dignitaries celebrating Fathers Walk to School Day include:
PARK HILL
8-9 a.m. Philips Preparatory School, 6550 E. 21st Ave., (303) 388-5313
Free, healthy breakfast; door prizes; dietary recalls as part of nutrition research project
- Barbara O'Brien, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
MONTBELLO
8-8:25 a.m. McGlone Elementary, 4500 Crown Blvd., (303) 373-5080
8:30-9 a.m. Oakland Elementary School, 4580 Dearborn St., (303) 371-2960
Dignitaries will greet parents at McGlone Elementary School as part of the school's "Second Cup of Coffee" program, then head to Oakland Elementary School for a formal program and free, healthy breakfast.
- Happy Haynes, Assistant to the Superintendent for Community Relations, Denver Public Schools
- Michael Hancock, President, City Council
- Richard Garcia, Director, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition
WEST SIDE
Mile High Montessori and Catholic Charities Head Start Centers in the Sun Valley Neighborhood also will celebrate Fathers Walk to School Day on Oct. 4.
Escuela Tlatelolco Centro de Estudios, 2949 N. Federal, will host "Walking through our History" on Friday, Oct. 13, in conjunction with Dia de la Raza, to kick off a year of healthy eating, active living, and exploration of cultural heritage. All students and parents will be invited to healthy breakfast or lunch, and a program of nutrition and fitness led by community and sports leaders. For more information, contact Nita Gonzales, President/CEO, (303) 964-8993.
More than 5,000 schools from all 50 states, and schools in 40 other countries, are expected to celebrate International Walk to School Day. Denver joins a nationwide effort to focus on fathers, including the Million Fathers' March in Chicago sponsored by the Black Star Project, which anticipates approximately 500,000 men participants from 125 cities this year.
Employers are asked to permit fathers and others to take off time from work to participate in this event (2-3 hours with pay when possible), allowing time to escort students before and after school. Caregivers, especially fathers, will be encouraged to make a year-long special commitment to become involved in the health and education of their students.
This event is sponsored by the Mayor's Office for Education and Children, Denver Public Schools, Denver's Great Kids Head Start, Denver Healthy People 2010-Park Hill Thriving Communities, Denver Public Health-Westside Healthy Eating and Nutrition, America on the Move-Denver Healthy Eating by Design, The Black Star Project, The Veterans of Hope Project, and Escuela Tlatelolco.
For more information please call the Denver Public Schools Communications Office at 720-423-3414.